Engine starting system



ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet l BY Mamba Vi. HEINTZ ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 11, 1944.

R. M. HEINTZ 2,346,303

ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 $01 sun/a INVENTOR. R/iLP/i M. /7//vrz April 11, 1944., R. M. HEINTZ ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 "April 11, 1944. R. M. HEENTZ ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 31, @440 M, H I

ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. fin/w M l/sl/vrz v planes and the like.

Patented Apr. 11, 1944 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE -2,s4s,sos ENGINE STARTING srsrnn Ralph M. Heintz, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Jack a Heiltz, Inc., Bedford, Ohio, at corporation oi Ohio Application September 24, 1942, semi No. 459,566

Claims. (01. zoo-cs) This invention relates to an inertia starting with the accompanying drawings showing by system for internal combustion engines, and way of example a preferred embodiment of the particularly the engines of vehicles such as airinvention.

' In the drawings:

Heretofore it has been the usual practice to 5 1 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the include in this type of starter a plurality of comstarting system of the present invention, showponents including an electric motor, a flywheel, ing the functional relation of the various units reduction gearing, extensible jaw clutch member, thereof;

and a torque limiting clutch all contained in a Figure 2 is a perspective view of the starting single housing having a flange attachment with '10 system showing its physical disposition in an the crank case of the engine. This'unitary arapplication to an airplane or like vehicle: rangement has certain obvious advantages, but Figure 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the it also possesses inherent disadvantages renderengine compartment shown in Figure 2;

ing it unsuitable for use on some engines. In Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on some installations space limitations prohibit the 1 the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

addition of a large starter unit on the engine, Figure 5 is a wiring diagram showing the ener due to proximity of a bulkhead or fire wall, or to gizing circuits for I the starting motor and .the the presence of amultiplicity of accessories on jaw meshing solenoid; the rear of the engine. Further, even though Figure 6 is a side view of the starter unit with there is sufficient space it is still desirable to 29 parts broken away and other parts shown in avoid subjecting the electric starting motor to section;

the engine vibration, notwithstanding the tend- Figure 7 is an end view of the motor with parts ency in the prior art to disregard this considerabroken away to show the drive from the hand tion. crank mechanism;

It is therefore the object of the present in- Figure 8 is an end view of the motor with venti'on to'separate the components of the startparts broken away to show the brush lifting ing system so that a relatively smaller unit may mechanism; be mounted directly on the engine and so that Figure 9 is asectional view through the motor, the electric starting motor may bemounted on taken approximately on the line 9-9 of Figure the airplane or vehicle where the vibration is 30. 1; and

less severe than on the engine. Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken A particular object is to provide an improved as Figure 9, showing one of the brush lifting cams engine starting system having only those comin over center position. ponents driven by the inertia flywheel mounted Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, it will be seen directly on the engine, the flywheel energizing that the present starting system comprises a means being separately mounted on the vehicle. plurality of separate components connected by A further object is to provide an engine startflexible shafts. Mounted upon the internal coming system having an inertia started mounted on bustion engine 9 to be started is the inertia startthe engine, having an electric motor for ener ing unit Hi, the inertia member thereof being sizing the inertia member of said starter'inount- 40 energized by means of the flexible shaft II from ed in .the engine compartment and connected 7 an electric motor II. The motor I2 is preferably with the starter by a flexible shaft, and having mounted on some part of the airplane adjacent I a hand crank receiving unit accessible exteriorly the engine, such as the bulkhead or flre wall I3, of said compartment and connected with said for reasons which will later be discussed. Ahand motor by a flexible shaft to drive said inertia crank receiving unit I4 is mounted on the airmember. plane close to the engine compartment in a posi- A further object is to provide a starting systion for convenient access to the portable hand tem of the type described having novel and imcrank mechanism IS. The hand crank receiving proved brush lifting mechanism for the starting unit is connected with the motor l2 by the motor to' reduce the friction therein when the flexibleshaft I6. The numeral l1 indicates the hand crank mechanism is employed to energize skin of the fuselage or nacelle of the airplane. the flywheel for a starting operation. The operating relation of the units forming the Additional and more specific objects and adcomponent parts of the starting system is illusvantages will be apparent to those 'skilled in the trated schematically in Figure 1 without refer- 1 art as .the description proceeds in connection ence to a particular kind of craft or vehicle,

wire control 8I serves as a convenient push-pull mechanism for operating the lever 80 from the pilot's compartment or other station.

Hand crank: mechanism In lieu of energizing the inertia starting member, or flywheel 33, by the electric motor means I2, hand crank mechanism indicated generally by the numeral I may be used. Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, the hand crank mechanism comprises essentially a detachable crank handle 90, a detachable gear box 9|, a crank and gear box receiver I4, and the flexible shaft IS. The

' gear ratio of the gearbox 9| is preferably approximately 80:1, causing the shaft I 6 to make about eighty revolutions for every revolution of the crank. This turning effort is transmitted through the overrunning clutch 64 to the motor I2 which in turn drives the flywheel 33 through the flexibleshaft II and the gears29, 32, 34 and 35. It is intended that the crank 90 and gear box 8| be detachable for stowing in the airplane when not required for use, this equipment being primarily for emergency use only.

The hand crank receiver is preferably welded to a rigid part of the vehicle frame or fuselage 92 by means of struts 93 or the like and is located to present the most convenient access for hand cranking consistent with relatively short flexible shaft connections and the limitations to the curvature thereof. As illustrated in the present embodiment the crank 90 extends on the outside of the fuselage II with the shaft IS on the inside. The crank may obviously be located within the vehicle if the construction and arrangement are suitable. The. gear box 9| is sup. ported by an integral tubular shank 94 adapted to fit in a tubular sleeve forming the body of the receiver I4. A squared hole in a stub shaft within the said shank 94 is adapted to receive a squared end on the flexible shaft Hi, this association of parts being maintained by cooperating pins and bayonet slots on the shank 94 and receiver l4, respectively.

The hand crank mechanism per se constitutes the subject matter of a separate application, Serial No. 431,850, filed February 21, 1942, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Controls .outer wall of the engine compartment adjacent the hand crank receiver Il. When thecable is pulled the rocker arm 45 depresses the push rod 44 to allow the spring 42 to extend the jaw clutch member 20. When the pull cable is released the push rod is returned by spring 43 overpowering spring." and carrying the member 20 back to retracted position.

The numeral I00 indicates a battery or other source of electrical supply for the starting system. The representation of the battery in Figure '2 is merely for the purpose of completing certain circuit connections, and is not intended to illustrate a preferred physical disposition of the elecinto two conductors I02 and I03. The conductor I02 is connected with switches I04 and I05 in the pilot's compartment, the switch I04 controlling a circuit I06 to the jaw meshing solenoid 5|, and the switch I05 controlling a circuit I01 to a relay solenoid I08 in a power relay I09 in the circuit I03, N0 of the starting motor I2. Plug connectors III and H2 are built into the motor and inertia starting units, respectively, the return sides of the circuits being completed to ground as shown.

A button H5 in the pilots compartment operates the flexible wire control 8! for the brush lifting mechanism on the motor, this type of control being capable of app ying a push or null force to the brush operating lever 80 to swing the cams to over center positions and return them to normal positions.

Operation In the present arrangement it will be seen that only the inertia starter unit I0 is subjected directly to engine vibration, the motor unit IZ-being mounted on the bulkhead I3 or other structural part where the vibration is much less severe. Also, by thus separating the motor and starter units the motor may be disposed where it will.

of the engine crankshaft and the bulkhead I3.

Regardless of whether the inertia starter is energized by the hand crank or the electric motor the flexible shaft II transmits the necessary torque to the starting unit I0 to accelerate the flywheel therein; The second flexible shaft l6 enables the hand crank receiver I4 to be located in an accessible position without the necessity for a straight line connection with the motor. In Figures 2, 3 and 4 the starting system of the present invention is applied to an airplane of the type having the engine behind the cockpit, or pilot's compartment, but it is to be understood that this arrangement is shown for purposes of illustration only, since the present starting system may also be used on engines forward or laterally of the cockpit. It is also to be understood that the flexible shaft connections with the various units may be varied to best suit the particular installation. For instance, the radial connection of the flexible shaft l6 through the housing extension 63 may be readily changed to an axial connection by merely substituting interchangeable parts. Likewise, the power cable IIII may be end connected instead of side connected. The flexible shaft and electrical connections are thereby adaptable to varied types of installations in addition to the specific emkidiment illustrated,

To energize the inertia starter electrically the control button H5 is first pressed in to throw the brush lifting cams over center, causing the motor brushes tobe pressed against the commutator under spring action. Then, upon closing the switch I05 the motor I2 will accelerate the inertia flywheel 33 to its proper operating speed. Closing oi the switch I04 will energize the jaw meshing solenoid 5| to extend the jaw clutch member 20 to crank the engine. As long as the starter is delivering torque to the engine the friction between the jaw. clutch member on the starter and the jaw clutch member on the engine will hold the two members in engagement, but when type, utilizing both inertia and direct cranking, the motor switch Hi5 is not opened until it is desired to terminate the cranking operation.

When the engine is to be started by hand cranking the motor brushes are first lifted by pulling out the button M5 to rotate the cams it to their over center positions holding the spring fingers l0. retracted. The portable hand crank and gear box are inserted in the receiver M and the crank is turned in the proper direction to spin the flywheel 33, it being remembered that the over running clutch G l prevents cranking the flywheel in the wrong direction. When the desired flywheel speed is attained the engine may be cranked by pulling on the jaw meshing cable if to extend the jaw clutch member 26 into engagement with the engine. Once the jaw clutch members are properly engaged the cable ll may be released and the engagement will be maintained by contact friction between the members until torque is no longer being delivered to the engine. After the starting operation the hand crank and gear box may'be removed from the receiver M and stowed in the airplane.

While the present starting system has especial utility in aircraft of both the heavier-than-air and lighter-than-air types, it is also applicable to land and marine vehicles and to stationary engines as well. It is obvious that the switches 606, N15, and the control button H5, herein illustrated as being mounted on a control panel I26 in the pilots compartment, may be located wherever the electrical and mechanical controls may be manipulated and that the hand crank receiver M may be located in the same compartment with said controls, or in another compartment, provided the distance from the motor I! does not exceed thelimitations of available flexible shafting.

Various other changes may be made in the arrangement, and certain parts of the system may be used without other parts. All such modiflcations and sub-combinations are included in the invention, it being understood that the same is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and the prior art.

I claim: I

1. In a. vehicle engine starting system, an inertia starter unit mounted on an engine to be startensaid unit comprising an extensible jaw clutch member for engaging withand turning said engine, jawjextending mechanism, a flywheel, reduction gearing, and overload,clutch release means, an electric motor mounted independently of said unit, brush lifting mechanism in said motor, a flexible drive shaft connecting said unit with said motor; a hand crank receiving unit mounted independently of said first .named unit and said motor, a flexible drive shaft connecting said motor with said last named unit, said last named flexible drive shaft including an overrunning clutch to prevent driving of said shaft by said motor; manipulable means adja-. cent said hand crank receiving unit for operating said jaw extending mechanism in said inertia starter unit; and manipulable means in said .ve-

' hicle for operating said brush lifting mechanism in said motor.

2. In a vehicle engine starting system, a flywheehhand crank mechanism for energizing said flywheel, an electric starting motor for energizing said flywheel, spring loaded brushes bearing cam means to over center position to facilitate energizing said flywheel by said hand crank mechanism, and means for moving said cam means out of over center position to enable energizing said flywheel by said motor.

3. In a vehicle engine starting system having a flywheel energizable selectively by hand crank mechanism or an electric motor, said motor having cam operated brush lifting mechanism, a

pair of cam shafts for operating said mechanism, levers on saidshafts, a link connecting said levers to operate same in unison, said brush lifting mechanism having brush tensioning means adapted to urge said cams into a repose position to lower said brushes for operation of said motor, said tensioning means being also adapted to hold said cams in an over center position with said brushes lifted for operation ofsaid hand crank mechanism, and a stop for limiting the cam movement at over center position.

4. In a vehicle engine starting system, a fiywheel, hand crank mechanism for energizing said flywheel, an electric motor for energizing said flywheelQa pair of brushes adjacent the commutator of said motor, spring loaded fingers for urging said brushes against said commutator, cam means movable to over center position to lift said. fingers and movable out of over center position to lower said fingers, a lever to operate said cam means, and means to move said lever in opposite directions to facilitate selective energization of said flywheel by said hand crank mechanism or said motor.

5. In a vehicle engine starting system having a flywheel energizable selectively by hand crank mechanism or an electric motor, movable brushes in said m'otor, spring actuated fingers for urging said brushes against the motor commutator for operation of the motor, a pair of opposed rollers for lifting said flngers for operation of the hand crank mechanism, a relatively flat sided cam member between said rollers rotatable to an over center position against a stop for moving the rollers apart to lift said fingers against said spring tension, said spring tension being effective to hold said cam either fiatwise between said rollers or in over center position, for selective energization of said flywheel in the manners Y adjacent said hand crank mechanism for extending said jaw clutch means, an electric motor for energizing said inertia starter, brush lifting means in said motor, andmeans in said pilots compartment for operating said .brush lifting means, for energizing said motor and for extending said law clutch means.

'I. In an engine starting system for a vehicle having an engine compartment and a pilot's compartment, an inertia starter for cranking said engine, extensible jaw clutch means for engaging said starterwith said engine, hand crank mechanism operable outside of said engine compartment for energizing said inertia starter, a flexible shaft drive between said hand crank mechanism and said starter, a pull cord adjacent said hand crank mechanism for manually extending said jaw clutch means, an electric motor for energizing said inertia starter, over center brush lifting means in said motor, a flexible wire control accessible in said pilots compartment for operating said brush lifting means into and out of over center position, and switch means in said pilot's compartment for energizing said motor and for electrically extending said jaw clutch means.

8. man aircraft, an engine compartment, a pilots compartment, an engine in said firstnamed compartment, an inertia starter on said engine, extensible jaw clutch means for engaging said starter with said engine, an electric motor mounted in said engine compartment so as to be subject to less vibration than said starter, brush lifting mechanism in said motor, a, flexible shaft drive connecting said motor with said inertia starter, a hand crank receiving unit accessible exteriorly of said engine compartment, a flexible shaft drive connecting said unit with said motor, manipulable means adjacent said unit for operating said extensible jaw clutch means, manipulable means in said pilots compartment for operating said-brush lifting mechanism, and manipulable means in said pilot's compartment for energizing said motor and for operating said extensible jaw clutch means.

tia starter, a hand crank receiving unit accessible exteriorly of said engine compartment, a flexible shaft drive connecting said unit with said motor, a pull cable adjacent said unit for operating said extensible jaw clutch means, a flexible control cable in said pilots compartment for operating said brush lifting mechanism, and switch means in said pilots compartment for energizing said motor and for operating said extensible jaw clutch means. 9

10. A starting system for internal combustion engines comprising an inertia starter unit on said engine, an electric motor mounted adjacent said engine, a flexible shaft drive connecting said motor with said starter unit, a hand crank receiving unit, a flexible shaft drive connecting said last named unit with said motor, an overrunning clutch in said last named drive to prevent driving of said shaft by said motor, and means to lift the brushes in said motor during a hand cranking operation.

RALPH M. HEINTZ. 

